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  • As a recording artist and music producer, Dr. Rod Wallace amplifies hip hop. He is an educator who applies the study of music technology to ignite and inspire youth. Rod is busy planning the March 2nd Detroit Electronic Music Conference at Washtenaw Community College. Meet him when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."
  • The theme of Black History Month this year is African Americans and the Arts. The Ann Arbor-based Willis C. Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale is celebrating 50 years of sharing the legacy of African American spirituals in 2024. It has spent five decades combatting the lack of inclusion for Black composers in chorale and classical music spaces. WEMU's David Fair talks all about it with the president of the chorale, Sharon Vaughters, in advance of some special performances in Ann Arbor on another Black History Month edition of "Washtenaw United."
  • Underground and not listed on concert calendars, Johnny’s Speakeasy has hosted bands in a little venue down the road since the late 1990’s. That is, until last year, when a fire destroyed both the venue and Johnny Williams’ home. Hear how and why local musicians have launched a campaign to "Save Johnny’s Speakeasy" when Johnny joins host Deb Polich on this edition of 89.1 WEMU’s "creative:impact."
  • What do Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, John Legend and Gwen Stefani have in common with Ann Arborite Angelina Nazarian? They appeared together on the 24th season of The Voice. Hear about Angelina’s experience as a contestant and being on Team Reba when she joins host Deb Polich on the next edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."
  • It’s almost Halloween, and Stephen Warner wants to scare you – with music! As one of the Michigan Theater’s resident organists, he’ll be at the console of the great Barton Organ playing the score for the annual showing of the 1922 silent film classic "Nosferatu," the scariest vampire movie ever! Stephen is Deb Polich’s guest on this edition of "creative:impact." They talk about the connection between pipe organs, films and audiences.
  • Ypsilanti native John E. Lawrence is truly a man of many talents. He's a celebrated guitarist, respected music teacher, and the founder of the John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Series. Lawrence talked to WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale about how he got started in music, transitioned into teaching and why it was important to him to create a jazz series in his hometown of Ypsilanti.
  • Balancing the obligations of life is still a constant challenge. It leads to many creative people setting something that gives them personal joy and fulfillment. "I’ll get back to it someday,” they say. Then, someday is forty or fifty years down the line. Marissa Conniff, a young business owner and mom, found her way back to her first creative love: singing. Find out how when Marissa joins Deb Polich, your host, on the next "creative:impact."
  • Joe Malcoun is an entrepreneur active in local politics and community development. He is also a music club owner. What drives him? As the owner of Ann Arbor’s storied Blind Pig, is he living out his teenage fantasy of “being in a band,” or is he a sly investor? Maybe he’s both! Find out when Joe joins Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact."
  • James Parry Eyster – AKA Jason – knows Frank Porter Glazier – perhaps Chelsea, Michigan’s most prominent and notorious resident. In fact, Jason found Glazier’s life so fascinating, he was compelled to write a musical to tell the tale. Meet Jason and hear all about the drama and intrigue when he joins Deb Polich, WEMU's "creative impact" host.
  • 50 years of Gemini! Twin brothers San and Laz Slomovits’ music, harmonizing voices, and fun memorable lyrics have captured the attention of children and families for five decades. What’s kept the brothers in the game and on the stage all these years? Find out when San and Laz join host Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."